The Super Record rear derailleur,
with parts in titanium, weighs less than 200g

2011

The EPS 11-speed electronic drivetrain is crea
ted

2013

Campagnolo celebrates 80 years of busi

ness

The history of Campagnolo
and additional details regarding
the 80th Anniversary Collection
can be found on:www.campagnolo.com

80 YEARS
OF TIMELESS INNOVATION
80 years ago, we started with just one goal in mind: innovation.
Since then, we have maintained that focus. Ours is a journey filled
with major milestones: from quick release and rod shifter to the
11 speed groupset and the EPSTM electronic drivetrain. We have registered
countless patents to safeguard our core values: performance, creativity and
innovation. We want to celebrate these 80 years with our fans, so to mark the occasion,
we have taken the highest evolution of both the mechanical groupset and wheels
and added revolutionary and cutting-edge treatments to create the unique look
of the 80th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION. This special limited edition
is dedicated to enthusiasts who want to own a piece of cycling history.
After all, our history has been written together with our fans.

PROUD SPONSOR OF

TABLE of
CONTENTS
6

BICISPORT ENGLISH EDITION REPORTS FROM
CAMPAGNOLO GRAN FONDO NEW YORK 2013

22

GRAN FONDO STRADUCALE

24

INTERVIEW: ALEX OSTROY ON KIT DESIGN

26

LOCAL CLIMB: CAPANNA MONTE BAR

30

GFNY CAR LINEUP

32

THE CATSKILLS

38

BIKE RACING IN BROOKLYN

40

GFNY BEHIND THE SCENES: MACIEJ NARZEWSKI

42

BUSINESS ON BIKES

44

CAMPAGNOLO GRAN FONDO NEW YORK 2013 FULL RESULTS

6

7

10

11

14

15

18

19

21

GRAN FONDO

Straducale

I

’m suffering up the
first real climb. The
race is only 45k
old but my legs are
already heavy. I have
a hard time staying positive given
that not only another 130k (85
miles) await but also over 3,000m
(10,000ft) of climbing. The pace
was stiff from the gun with the
150-rider- strong leading peloton averaging well above 25mph
over the hilly terrain and speeds
rising above 30mph on the flatter
sections. The reason: the Lungo,
Medio and Corto distances share
the beginning of the course of
Gran Fondo Straducale Urbino.
While the Corto riders are half
way done, our Lungo course
hasn’t even really started.
In 2011, Lidia and I made
the trip to the historical town of
Urbino in the Marche region for
the first time. We’ve been received
with open arms by the organizers
Alessandro Gualazzi and Gabriele
Braccioni and immediately adored
the race, breathtaking venue and
its people. Urbino is situated
somewhat between Tuscany and

22

Romagna, two hotbeds of cycling.
Hence, Gran Fondo Straducale
draws riders from both these
regions, which ensures a colorful,
competitive peloton. This Gran
Fondo is Italian at its best. If
you ever want to experience the
essence of Gran Fondo racing,
don’t look any further. It’s especially true for those of you that
are competitive and fit cyclists.
Neither Tuscans nor Romagnoli
are just tooling around. People
there are born on the bike, which
is immediately visible by their
bike handling and smooth style.
And they know how to race!
In 2012 and 2013, GF Straducale Urbino coincided with
the legendary Maratona dles
Dolomiti. I like “Maratona” for its
closed to traffic roads, magnificent mountain scenery, legendary
mountain passes and general
hoopla. What drew us back to
Urbino, after sitting out 2012,
was neither only the friendship we
have with Alessandro and Gabriele
nor the fantastic setting of GF
Straducale in and around Urbino.
It was also its true “Italianita”. We
like to race in pure Italian pelotons because they never fail to
deliver the best riding experience with the unbeatable
mixture of passion and skill.
Make no mistake: you should
ride “Maratona” at least once
in your life. But GF Straducale
is a race you will come back
for again and again.
Back to mile 30: at the
top of the climb I tuck into a
group of ten. The route continues on small, curvy roads.
I’m still too exhausted to enjoy the rollercoaster ride but
pedal stroke by pedal stroke
things are starting to come
along. Meanwhile, our group
swells to 30 racers with the
pace becoming much more
casual. Everyone starts to fuel

up for the two main challenges of the day, Monte Catria
and Monte Nerone. Both
climbs are among the greats
in the Apennine mountains.
With their 1,000m (3,500ft)
of elevation gain they rival
many climbs in the Alps.
Monte Catria’s first three
kilometers are nasty steep.
I’m churning my 39/25 up
the 18% and am once again
in awe of pro cyclists who
make these climbs look easy.
Both Catria and Nerone have
been a Giro playground.
Higher up, the climb
levels to a more manageable 8%. After a while, I find
something that resembles a
rhythm albeit at a much slower
speed than I had wished. By now,
most riders are on their own or in
small groups. I use the descent
to recover, floating down the car
free road. Good road conditions
and long straights allow speeds
beyond 50mph. When I hit the
valley and have to get back into
pedaling, I already feel much better. There’s one rider not far behind. I wait for him to share the
work, which allows us to catch
two more riders with whom we
tackle a 4k hill before the climb
up Monte Nerone awaits.
Up Nerone, it’s again about
one’s own rhythms of pace, effort
and feel. We all try to make the
most of the rare moments when
we feel good and accept the
rough moments, sharing them
with others should someone be
near. We mumble “cazzo” but not
even the numerous flies around
us care. The higher we climb
the more breathtaking the views
become. I remind myself that we
amateurs have the luxury to take
in views and sacrifice seconds.
But then again: beauty can be a
huge motivator. So maybe enjoying views is even beneficial from
a racing perspective?
I hit the descent solo but pop
out on the other side with – again
– two other riders. Together we
tackle the undulating route, including another 3k climb, as best
as we can. We know but stubbornly ignore that larger groups
will form behind us. With 20k

left to go, I spot the inevitable,
sit up and roll on casually to get
a small rest until I get caught.
The two guys I was riding with
were in denial and kept plugging
away until the group caught them
shortly thereafter.
With 15k to go, we’re facing a
last climb out of Urbania. It’s of
the flatter sort and only 3k long.
Somehow my legs are turning
better and next thing you know
I’m clear again of the group with
some energy left in my legs. I’m
joined by one of my former flight
companions but I doubt we can
make it. He fires me up to give it
a shot with the finish still an undulating 12k away. We’re squeezing out the last ounces of energy
left after 110 miles through the
mountains. Our scooter escort
is clearing the road ahead with
a calm casualness that you only
see among experienced pros.
Not only cycling comes natural to
Italians but so does the “servizio
corsa”.
Once we hit the cobbled climb
to the finish along the historic
muro di Urbino, we know we won
our little race inside the race by
what turns out to be two minutes. It was a fun way to end a
tough but beautiful Gran Fondo,
ensuring that we keep it real all
the way to the finish. See you
there next year.
For more information visit
www.straducale.it or email us
at info@granfondony.com.

23

Alex Ostroy
The 2014 Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York kit is designed by graphic designer
and longtime cyclist Alex Ostroy (ostroydesign.com). Alex grew up painting pictures
and racing bikes; when he was accepted at the Rhode Island School of Design but
failed to hear from the US National Cycling Team it was pretty clear which direction
his life would take. Out of stubbornness, he kept riding anyway. As an adult he found
a way to unite his passions: by designing cycling jerseys. If you live in New York City,
you have probably seen his work on the backs of teams like FGX, SixCycle and siggiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.
We asked him a few questions about his passion.

24

YOU STARTED CYCLING WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG,
WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST MEMORIES OF CYCLING
JERSEYS?
When I was a kid my whole cycling wardrobe consisted of jerseys handed down to me by older guys who had
unintentionally thrown their wool jerseys in the dryer. I
started riding with a nearby club, Velo Club La Grange,
when I was 13 and after a few months they gave me a
team jersey, which I still own.
HOW HAS THE CYCLING JERSEY EVOLVED SINCE
YOU STARTED RIDING? CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF
HISTORY OF INFLUENTIAL DESIGNS?
In the ‘70s the main innovation seemed to be making
a cheaper, uglier jersey for the non-professional — so
wool gave way to cotton/polyester blends and embroidery changed to ironed-on felt. Molteni and Brooklyn
Chewing Gum jerseys were ubiquitous. Molteni because
it was the iconic Merckx jersey and Brooklyn because it
was an All-American design for an Italian chewing gum
called Brooklyn, and the weirdness of that is timeless.
In the ‘80s the introduction of Lycra gave us Jane
Fonda, Flashdance and the ability to screen color all
over the jersey and bibs. Lycra was as essential to the
‘80s as Reagan and MTV. Greg LeMond had a great
‘80s jersey career: La Vie Claire, Renault and even the
Z team. I try use (steal) elements of jerseys like these
in my designs. At the same time it’s always exciting to
bring something new into cycling design and update the
tradition. Many of my favorite kits do both; wink or nod
to the tradition and surprise by taking it in an unexpected direction.
The ‘90s brought grunge and deconstructed design.
Designers tried to stuff as many logos on their kits as
the riders were pouring drugs into their bodies; both
were flamboyant and unrepentant. Cipollini rode with
half the Las Vegas strip on his back. The Mapei kit is
the essential example, it’s wild and excessive but also a
great unified design, all those 3D tiles and rainbows still
look fresh.
AND WHAT TRENDS ARE DOMINANT RIGHT NOW?
Well, the success of Rapha and more broadly of Apple and Martha Stewart have instituted a “clean and
minimal” design mandate. I suppose it was also the
inevitable reaction to all of the excesses of the ‘90s and
early aughts. There are many instances where a minimal
design is a great solution, but it’s starting to feel like a
one size fits all answer.
SO YOU ARE NOT A FAN?
Rapha is very handsome and well designed. But
cycling is supposed to be fun time, play time for adults.
It’s the only time most of us will wear colorful skin-tight
bodysuits after the age of eight, so why try to look neat

and sophisticated, like you are going on a job interview? To me, the Sky team looks like stewards for some
premium futuristic space-travel airline. If you are really
worried about looking ridiculous you should probably try
another hobby.
WHAT CHALLENGES ARE UNIQUE TO DESIGNING A
CYCLING KIT, AND WHAT ARE SOME COMMON MISTAKES YOU SEE?
I think it’s a bit more difficult than it first appears. You
have to make a design that is readable and distinctive
at 25 miles per hour. Jerseys are a strangely shaped
canvas too, but you have to design them in two dimensions on your computer. You don’t really know what it
will look like in the round until you get it back from the
printer, and often times what looked like the right size
logo or design on your desktop turns out to be huge or
tiny when you are finally holding it in your hand.
Slapping a beautiful vintage cycling poster or a great
piece of art on the front of your kit will not necessarily
translate into a great jersey design, too often this tactic
becomes the jersey equivalent of putting a Tintoretto
Italian restaurant copy in a strip-mall to class the place
up.
But the tactic I see that seems to virtually guarantee
a dull, forgettable design is when the designer simply
tries to artfully arrange a few given logos on the jersey.
It’s always a good idea to have some unifying theme or
concept going in.
SO WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR
IDEAS?
As a designer I’m always looking at everything for ideas. I look at packaging design from Indian and Japanese
groceries and restaurants in my neighborhood. I browse
the Strand bookstore for odd books on design, photography and architecture and the galleries in Chelsea. In
the back of my mind I’m always keeping a file for jersey
designs too.
eBay searches for vintage jerseys can yield some
treasures; look past all the trendy current designs and
find the ridiculous and dated because you can bet those
are the ones that will look the coolest in three years.
LET’S SAY BLOOMBERG LP SPONSORS A PRO TEAM
FOR 2014. IT HAS US MANAGEMENT WITH ITALIAN
DS AND MATERIAL SPONSORS. RIDERS ARE MOSTLY
AMERICANS WITH SOME HOPEFUL COLOMBIANS
AND EXPERIENCED ITALIANS ADDED. YOU ARE
GIVEN THE JOB TO COME UP WITH THE KIT DESIGN.
NO RULES, FEW BOUNDARIES. WHAT WOULD IT
LOOK LIKE?
A cross between Frank Stella paintings and Khal
Drogo.

f you ever had the chance
to watch a pro race from the
side of the road, you might
have been surprised about the
amount of cars and motorbikes
travelling ahead of, with and after the racers. Every participant
in this vehicle procession has a
clear role, whether it’s clearing the road ahead, promoting the race
sponsors, providing material or medical
support or documenting the action that
happens through the course of the race.
The amount of motorized vehicles per
rider reaches its pinnacle each year at
the Tour de France.
But not only pro races need vehicle
support. Well-run Gran Fondos not only
have similar logistics to a pro race, they
also have to deal with a far more spread
out field. While the “Head of Race” car

at a Gran Fondo might be approaching
the finish, the broom wagon still trails
several hours behind.
Team or personal support cars are
not allowed at Gran Fondos to keep the
competition fair and to limit the amount
of cars on the road for the safety of the
cyclists. A Gran Fondo rider has to be
self-supported. Nonetheless, you’ll find
a large amount of “servizio corse” at a
Gran Fondo to help riders with mechanical problems that can’t be fixed with a
tube or mini tool.
Commercial caravans may today
only be a specialty of the top professional races. But large Gran Fondos are
enough of a spectacle to draw fans to
the streets. Some sweets or goodies
thrown from a decorated truck or van
help keep spectators entertained while
waiting for the peloton.

31

the

CATSKILLS

T

rudging along the gravel driveway, doing my best to ignore
the fact that my cleats are
being torn up, I try only to
think of the ride ahead of us;
but a little shiver runs through
my body. Am I dressed warmly enough
for this ride? It’s September, I have a vest,
and arm warmers and knee warmers on,
I should be. If this were the city, chances

32

are I wouldn’t even need those. The difference in temperature is quite surprising to
me considering we are only 2 hours out of
Manhattan. I shiver again.
Half a mile later, we have made it to the road. James
was right; I could not have ridden that. We clip in and roll
out. I am feeling quite ambitious today despite the fact
it’s the end of a very long season. I’ve eagerly agreed to
any of James’ route suggestions, and haven’t batted an
eyelid at his warnings of the climbs we will encounter.
Other than the Tour of the Catskills, this is my first

time riding in the Catskill Mountains. I thoroughly enjoyed the Tour, despite (or because of?) the infamous
Devil’s Kitchen climb at the end of stage 2—the one with
a max gradient of 22.9%, the one that’s consistently at
15% for a large portion of the 4km climb. There can’t be
any climbs like that on todays ride…right, James?
At the start of the of the inaugural Gran Fondo New
York I had only been living in New York for 6 months. As
is the case with everyone, I quickly became accustomed
to 9W. Route 9W is a fabulous stretch of road with minor undulations, especially considering its proximity to
the busiest city in the world—a place I never thought I
would get to ride in! But 9W quickly got repetitive. Gran

Fondo New
York was
my eye opener;
it showed me that
there was so much more
than 9W, and gave me access to some great climbs,
beautiful roads, many alternative
routes, options away from 9W, and also
many great riders to ride with. The bonus
of GFNY is the controlled traffic. But you can’t
always have that bliss, can you?
This road is great; it’s little rough, but rolls well

More miles tick by with us
sitting in the saddle, spinning
a comfortable 20mph—fast
enough to enjoy the ride, but
slow enough to absorb more
of this lush, beautiful scenery.
It’s purely spectacular.

33

regardless. We are heading north on Route 18. The road
rises a little, it dips a little, and now it’s rising again—I
guess there are some ‘flat’ roads even in the mountains.
We pass quaint little houses and surprisingly adorable
barns, before passing a fridge…wait, what?! A fridge, on
the side of the road? Standing tall and proud, under its
own little pergola…yes, a fridge. James educates me; it’s
fresh milk and cheese. Just leave some money and take
what you want.
We roll on, but at more of a clip now as the energy of
the day warms us up. I breathe deeply, not because I am
working hard, but to make the most of this immaculately
fresh air. More miles tick by with us sitting in the saddle,
spinning a comfortable 20mph—fast enough to enjoy the
ride, but slow enough to absorb more of this lush, beautiful scenery. It’s purely spectacular.
James asks if I’m ready. I am ready. We sweep right
through the bend and James tells me to go. I go. He
described this as a punchy climb—Pink Street Hill, the
punchy climb. So I go at my punchy pace. Suddenly
my long season of riding is screaming at me from my
legs, and I notice the first half-mile of the gradient has
steadily risen with me. 6%, 8%, 12%—oh my, 14%. Back
to 4% for a moment, then a kick into 17%. How long did
34

he say this punchy climb was?
I find that zone, the one we all have, where the feeling
of the climb itself has been buried so deep that you can
hardly notice it anymore. The sweat is now beginning to
bead and I’m breathing deeply; not to enjoy the crisp clean
air now, but because I am working hard. Really hard. I roll
down my arm warmers, unzip my jersey some and plug
on. One mile. On a “flat” spot, I enjoy the ease of 8% and
take in the view. The vista to my left is breathtaking and I
almost don’t notice the incline kick back up again to 14%.
1.5 miles, 10 minutes of climbing…really? Was it really 10
minutes?
When I spoke to other riders in the peloton during
GFNY—riders from Australia, Italy, France, all over—they
all exclaimed with a little disbelief, despite being in the
thick of it, that the Gran Fondo New York started just 20
minutes from midtown NYC. They were amazed with the
quality of climbing, the scenery, and the fact that there
really was Italian style cycling so close and so accessible
to New York City. I look around me. Yep, NYC’s doorstep is
an amazing place.
Pulling my arm warmers back up, I grip the drops,
bend my knees to lightly graze the top tube, arch my back,
stick my bum out, and rapidly whizz down the wondrous
decent over the back of Pink Street Hill. The road is inviting and the Indian summer colored trees flashing by me
seem endless, only interrupted by the odd barn or farm—
wait, did I just pass a 10 foot tall horse? The road continues down, its curves wide and controllable. I am finally
descending well, I am in the zone and there is no one here
to bother me or go flying by with their superior descending
skills.
35

37

N
Y
L
K
O
O
R
B
yclists who are new to racing often ask where
they can race in New York City, one of the most
congested and largest cities in the world. The
racing scene is alive and well in Brooklyn, New
York, with three separate race series – two are located in
Brooklyn’s Prospect Park (a smaller version of Manhattan’s Central Park) and the third series is held at Floyd
Bennett Field, New York’s first airport that ceased operations and is now a U.S. National Park.

PROSPECT PARK BICYCLE RACING
Racing began in Prospect Park in the early 1960’s
and was promoted by Al Toefield. Al Toefield founded
the Kissena Cycling Club and was a retired New York
City Police Officer. The officials at Prospect Park contacted Al to organize bicycle races to bring some “life”
into the Park by encouraging local residents to become
more active and for the past 40 years bicycle racing has flourished in the Park from
April to September. There are two
separate race series in the Park for
a total of 13 races and each caters
to different racing groups and skill
levels. Both are sanctioned by USA
Cycling, the governing body of bicycle racing in the United States.
The races start at 6AM to avoid
the crowds of park users and the
race course is a rolling 3.4 mile
loop with one hill.
The first race series is called
the Lucarelli & Castaldi Cup and
is sponsored by the Law Firm
of Lucarelli & Castaldi, a long
time supporter of New York
City bicycle racing. The series
consists of 8 races and there
are 3 separate groups or cat-

egories of racers competing:
the Category 1-2-3 race is 44
miles, the Category 4 race is
31 miles and the Category 5
race is 17 miles. The Category system works like this:
everybody starts off as a
Category 5 racer. When
you have completed 10
Category 5 races you can
advance to the Category 4
level. To advance to the
Category 3, then 2, then
1 levels you need to have
earned enough points
and you earn points by
“placing” or by finishing
in the first 10 in a race.
In order to compete you
are required to have
a USA Cycling license
even if you are in the
entry-level Category 5
group. You can purchase a USA
Cycling “one day” license at the race for $10
The second race series is called the R&A Cycles
Series and is sponsored by R&A Cycles, Brooklyn’s premier bicycle shop. This 5 race series offers races for
USAC licensed Category 1-4 Masters 40+ racers (racers over the age of 40), USAC licensed Category 1-4
Women racers (yes, a separate race for women) as well
as the entry-level Category 5 category for first-time
races. The Masters 40+ race is 40 miles, the Women’s
race is 31 miles and the Category 5 race is 17 miles.
Both series have “Tour de France” style competitions and the leaders of each are supplied full leader
kits (matching jerseys, bib shorts, gloves, socks and
even caps). The overall leaders of the Category 1-23, Category 4 and Masters 40+ wear yellow kits, the
overall leader of the women competition wears a pink
kit, the King/Queen of the Mountain leader wears the
classic polka-dot kit, the best sprinter wears the green
kit and we even have a competition for the best rider
over the age of 45 in the Category 1-2-3 and Category
4 series and that leader wears a silver kit. The leaders
are determined by points the score each race and all
leader kits are supplied by Champion System custom
cycling apparel.
FLOYD BENNETT FIELD BICYCLE RACING
Every Tuesday night from the first Tuesday in May
until the last Tuesday in August for a total of 17
races), bicycle races are held at Floyd Bennett Field in
southeast Brooklyn. Floyd Bennett Field was New York
City’s first municipal airport and is now a National
Park. Racing began at Floyd Bennett Field in 1993 and
utilizes the airport runways to form a 2.3 mile loop.
While the entire course is flat, it is often referred to by
local cyclists as the hardest, flattest course you will
ever race on. What make the race so difficult are the
windy conditions due to it’s close proximity to the water. For many, racing at Floyd Bennett Field has a Belgian feel with winds that tear the race apart into small

Above: The Sprint
Competition Leader (green kit)
and the King of the Mountain Competition Leader
(polka-dot kit) in action at the Lucarelli & Castaldi
Cup in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

“echelons” and a road surface that is rough in spots
for Brooklyn’s own version of “pavé”.
There are the 3 separate categories of races: USAC
licensed Category 1-2-3, USAC licensed Category 3-4
and the entry level Category 5 for first-time racers.
Category 3 riders who are under the age of 40 must
race in the Category 1-2-3 race. There is an overall
competition leader for the Category 1-2-3 and Category 3-4 races and the leader once again wears an
all-yellow leader kit supplied by Champion System custom cycling apparel. There is also a separate Sprint
Competition for the Category 1-2-3 and Category 3-4
races and the leaders wear the classic green kit. The
Category 5 race starts at 6:30PM and is 12 miles. The
Category 1-2-3 and Category 3-4 races start at 7PM
and 7:02PM and are 28 and 23 miles.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT BROOKLYN RACES
Competition and fun! The New York City racing
community is tight-knit and very friendly. The competition is intense but off the bicycle we are one big
family. There is no “elite” attitudes because everybody
started off the same way – as a first-time Category 5
racer. If you have ever wondered what it is like to race
you are encoraged to come to one of the 30 races that
take place each year in Brooklyn at eiter Prospect Park
of Floyd Bennett Field.
For more information contact the Kissena Cycling Race
Director Charlie Issendorf at cibike@aol.com

39

GFNY

BEHIND THE SCENES
MACIEJ NARZEWSKI IS GFNY’S MAIN MAN FOR ALL THINGS LOGISTICS.

WHAT’S YOUR ROLE AT GFNY
DURING THE YEAR?
Most of the work has to be
done directly in the 3-4 months
preceding the race but there is
plenty to do in-between races
with a focus on technical and organizational aspects of the event.
I start planning the transportation of the race already 9 months
ahead. We hire drivers and teams
to set up sponsor banners, blowup arches, barricades etc. We
used to rent all our bike racks for
aid stations and finish line but
now I build them from scratch.
I plan to construct 200 racks
within the next two months. That
way we’re more independent.
Once that’s done, I’ll focus on
changing and improving our staging and podium at the finish.
WHAT ARE THE KEY THINGS
THAT NEED TO GET DONE ON
GFNY WEEKEND?
We start with route marking with
chalk and put up our 300 signs from about 10 days out.
Part of that is also the beautification of the course, which
includes GFNY banners, arches, flags etc. On race weekend, I have to ensure that all the equipment such as tents,
generators, trucks etc. will be at the right place. On time
food and water delivery at each aid station is key!
All these elements of the race need to be precisely
planned months ahead, in particular the start and finish
area. GFNY is not a location but 100 miles of route. Actually, given the importance for details, I should say 528,000
feet.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE YOU DIRECTING TO GET ALL
THIS DONE?
We’re fortunate to have amazing volunteer support at
GFNY. But in addition to that, I’m hiring 50 people for race

40

week who work almost around
the clock to have everything
ready for the big day. These guys
have done an amazing job and
I’m glad that they are coming
back year after year. This way
I’m able to build an experienced
and dedicated team, ultimately
enabling us to put on the best-run
race in the US.
WHAT’S THE MOST FUN PART
FOR YOU AT GFNY?
For me the most enjoyable
part is the opening of NYC Bike
Expo and race packet pickup on
Friday. The expo has an amazing
atmosphere. To see the cyclists in
person and watch them and their
families is so cool. It’s a friendly,
energetic, multilingual crowd, not
just anonymous people. It makes
my work so fulfilling. I want to
offer the riders the best experience possible, especially when
they come from as far away as
Europe, Asia or even New Zealand.
Many of them come back each year. That really makes me
so proud to be a part of GFNY.
WHAT’S THE TOUGHEST PART?
The moment NYC Bike Expo is closing on Saturday evening my marathon day and night work begins, ending many
hours after the finish ceremony on Sunday. By then, I’m
already awake for 40 hours. In 2013, the weather made
the event very challenging not only for the racers but also
for my crew and me. Gathering all our equipment, cleaning
it, repairing it and drying it took several weeks. I feel great
when everything is back in the warehouse, organized and
repaired. And by then it’s already time for me to start getting ready for the next year. I plan improvements, work on
new projects and all the things that can be done ahead. It
really is a year round effort. I can’t wait for CGFNY 2014!

This Fall George Hincapie will lead cyclists
through the picturesque roads of the Blue
Ridge foothills â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the same roads he used in
training for races such as the Tour of Flanders,
Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France. See
the spectacular red, orange and yellow of the
changing autumn leaves. Climb the challenging
Skyuka Mountain. Meet cycling stars of the
past, present and future. Join the ride.

GRANFONDOHINCAPIE.COM

SPONSORED BY

41

Business
ON
￼ BY TERRY
MCDONALD

T.

Edward Wines, the New York-based wine importer
and wholesaler, and Bloomberg L.P., the New Yorkheadquartered financial data and media company,
are at the spear tip of a growing trend that recognizes the benefits to business from a corporate culture that
encourages employees to regularly go cycling together and/or
with clients.
These internal team-building and client-relationship benefits
are enhanced when company teams of employees and/or clients
train for and conquer challenging events, such as the Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York.
Management, employees and clients from T. Edward Wines
will be teammates when they tackle the 2014 Campagnolo
Gran Fondo New York next May 18. The Bloomberg team at the
2014 event will have about 30 employees from several company locations throughout New York City and New Jersey.
Dozens of other teams will also participate in the Campagnolo
Gran Fondo New York, either to compete against each other in
the event’s special team division or simply to finish one of the
most difficult one-day cycling events in the world.
T. EDWARD WINES
Karen Ulrich, director of information and communications at
T. Edward Wines, says the company’s cycling culture is “fun as
well as good business” because it “brings good health, fitness,
morale and teamwork” and it also “helps the relationships
between our staff and accounts.”
“Cycling is very much part of our lifestyle,” says Karen. “Setting goals and completing what you begin and staying fit as well
as supporting worthwhile events. That’s what it’s all about.”
The cycling culture at T. Edward Wines got a dramatic kickstart in 2009 when Tom Byrnes, company owner, and Peter
Cassell, director of operations, announced the company would

42

BIKES

provide bicycles for employees who would commit to train for
60 days then fly to France and ride up Mont Ventoux. Mont
Ventoux, the famous Giant of Provence, is considered one of the
most difficult climbs tackled by the Tour de France.
Since the Mont Ventoux adventure, a contingent of company
executives and employees has ridden a number of cycling events
that are closer to home, including the New York City Bike MS,
and the 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions of the Gran Fondo New
York.
In fact, the 2013 Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York turned
out to be as epic an adventure for the T. Edward Wines team
as anything the 2013 Tour de France threw at its professional
teams. “We had six members of our team of employees, friends
and clients who completed the 100-mile granfondo in horrible
conditions,” says Karen.
“I really hadn’t trained enough so I was planning on turning
around part way, but when we got the first food stop, the other
guys said they were going on on. I wasn’t going to be only one
to turn around, so I continued too. The conditions were hardly
optimal, but it’s great to finish what you start, whether it is a
difficult gran fondo or some other project.”
T. Edward Wines became a sponsor of the Gran Fondo New
York in 2012 after its team enjoyed riding the 2011 event. That
sponsorship continued in 2013 and will continue in 2014, says
Karen.
The company has also sponsored other cycling-related
events, including the I Challenge Myself project, a non-profit
organization founded in 2005 to design physical fitness challenges (including a one-day 100-mile bike tour) for students in
high-poverty high schools in the Bronx and Washington Heights.
These challenges allow the students to experience personal
and group success, to strengthen their bodies, and to develop
a greater sense of confidence in their fitness skills and in their

PHOTO CREDIT: T. EDWARD WINES. LEFT: TEAM T. EDWARD WINES (TEW) AT THE START OF THE 2013 CAMPY GFNY RIDERS, LEFT TO RIGHT, ARE RYAN BOWKER (METRO VP OF WINEBOW), JOE BILLESBACH (A FORMER SALES REP WHO HAS SINCE MOVED TO
NEW ORLEANS), PETER CASSELL (TEW’S COMPANY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS), KAREN ULRICH (TEW’S DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS) RAINLOVE LAMPARIELLO (BEVERAGE DIRECTOR OF THE STANDARD HOTELS), AND JOHN-PAUL SCHULTZ (A
TEW SALES REP). RIGHT; ABOVE: TEW’S PETER CASSELL (TEW’S DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS) WITH ULI FLUHME CO- DIRECTOR OF THE GFNY AT THE 2012 GFNY; BELOW: PETER CASSELL, TEW’S DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, RIDING IN THE 2012 GFNY.

ability to persevere.
BLOOMBERG
Bloomberg’s team at the 2014 Campagnolo Gran
Fondo New York will increase to about 30 members from
the 20 that participated in the 2013, says Travis Farrell,
a Bloomberg software developer located in Manhatten
who has volunteered to organize the company’s team
at the 2014 event. The team will include Bloomberg
employees from several offices in the New York and New
Jersey region.
“Our approach is pretty casual on an event-by-event
basis and is supported by the company because cycling
together definitely encourages employee morale and
team-building,” says Travis. “You get to know people from
different areas of the company and you learn what’s going on in their part of the company.”
Team members from different offices train in small
local groups then come together at events. Some are
former competitive riders, others are currently competitive triathletes, and still others are just riding for fun and
fitness.
The team’s resolve was tested in 2013 by the cold
and rainy conditions at the Campagnolo Gran Fondo New
York, says Travis. “Yeah, the weather was really something. Some of our team didn’t finish, but a lot did. It was
cold, but we had fun and for sure we’ll be back in 2014.”
TEAMS AND GRAN FONDOS
The Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York is not the only
granfondo event to provide the focus for a corporate
business/cycling culture. At the RBC Gran Fondo Banff
in August, held inside Canada’s Banff National Park in
the Province of Alberta, the entry fees of more than 20%
of the 1,500 riders were paid by their companies. They
included Canadian divisions of International Business
Machines Corp. (IBM) and NetApp, Inc., the multinational computer storage and data management company.
“I think the company has recognized that cycling is
the new golf, although I know that might be an overused phrase,” says Benny Cifelli, the Net App divisional
manager who organized the team’s expedition to Banff.
“And I think it is a great way to connect with
our clients. A lot of management of our clients are into
cycling.” Net App’s Banff
weekend included deluxe
lodgings, good food, and
the lively comradery that
was inevitable in a group of
endorphin- infused cyclists.
￼￼
GFNY’S UNIQUE POTENTIAL
Other granfondo events also
encourage team participation.
However, the Campagnolo Gran
Fondo New York recognizes
its unique potential to add
hundreds of business teams to
the thousands of individual cyclists who ride the event each
year because it is held on the
doorstep of the headquarters

of Corporate America’s leading companies with the skyline
of the world’s most exciting city as its backdrop.
Lidia Fluhme, co-director of the Campagnolo Gran Fondo
New York, believes companies can create meaningful connections between their employees and with their clients by
participating together in the event.
“The event is a personal challenge that offers many bonding opportunities, such as going on training rides together
in the months before the event, exchanging race prep ideas,
getting together for a short pre-race group ride in the days
leading up to the event, going for a pre- race or post-race dinner, and reliving war stories from the event long after it took
place,” says Lidia.
“All participants of Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York
have a different story of what led up to them getting to the
start line and how they got to the finish line, but they all have
one thing in common: They all covered the full distance along
the same course on the same day to have earned their place
on the results list.”
While some teammates may start off by attempting to stay
together during the ride, usually they recognize early in the
event the difficulty of staying together in a group of 5,000
other cyclists.
“Making a group of people of varying speeds ride together
as part of a long distance cycling event is doomed to create
an unhappy experience, for the faster-paced cyclists who
have to wait for slower teammates and for the slower riders
who are forced to ride faster than they can comfortably handle,” says Lidia.
THE WORLD’S MOST INTERNATIONAL CYCLING EVENT
“It is much better for each rider to ride at his or her own
pace, creating his or her own experiences and memories. The
beauty of Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York is that it’s the
world’s most international cycling event and it’s staggering
how many different people from different parts of the world
and different walks of life you can meet, who happen to
be cycling right aside you. Take advantage of that,” advises
Lidia.
“People like to hear stories of other people’s activities, but
the bond is the strongest when both people in a conversation went through the same experience, even if they
didn’t go through it side by side. Each person can
share sympathy of how steep Colle Formaggio was
or how never-ending Montagna dell’Orso felt or
how happy they were to see the ‘5 km To Go’ sign
because they experienced it as well.”
“The conversation would be one-sided if one
person was telling his or her story to the other,
but it becomes a mutual dialogue of respect and
enjoyment when both have gone through it. In
this way, a company can create very meaningful connections for their internal teams
who work in different locations, as well as
deepen the relationships that employees
have with their clients,” says Lidia.

Terry McDonald is Editor of CyclingWEST.com,
a new website for road cyclists that covers mass
participation events such as granfondos and
centuries.

Ride La Vuelta ... January 24-26, 2014
Join us for a unique pro-like, fast paced, peloton riding experience!
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cycling and a whole lot more! Ride through miles of beautiful coastlines, historic lighthouses, and every coastal town as you circumnavigate the entire island.
Experience the Island of Enchantment in the most exhilarating way! Visit! Bike! Enjoy!

La Vuelta Puerto Rico is the ultimate fully supported, three-stage, 375-mile cycling adventure for serious endurance athletes. There is nothing like it anywhere!